Babri verdict: Cong may put off zonal meets

In all probability, the Congress party will put off its zonal conferences in Mohali and Kolkata scheduled on September 25 and 27 as part of its celebrations on the completion of 125 years..

Highly placed sources say the move comes in the wake of the September 24 Allahabad High Court verdict on the Babri Masjid-Ram Janmabhoomi issue.

According to sources, party leaders believe the verdict – irrespective of the outcome – might lead to some unrest. All senior party leaders, including Congress president Sonia Gandhi, are expected to attend the meet.

The dates for the other zonal conferences had so far not been announced though it was said that the conference in Jaipur would also be held in September.

However, sources say a top meeting has been called by the party on September 16 to take a final call on the conferences.

The party, while planning elaborate celebration programmes for completion of its 125 years, had decided to hold zonal conferences which would be followed by all-India conference where the party would use the opportunity to showcase its achievements and sacrifices in the last 125 years.

Sources say that both the party and the government are keeping a close eye on the developments related to the Babri Masjid verdict with the government taking the advice of senior lawyers on the issue. The Babri Masjid issue has always been an emotive one, though the general perception is that the issue has already been milked for its worth and is unlikely to make the same waves again.